Welcome to Day 1 of Round 2 of the Focus Fast. Today, our focus is on finding peace through surrender.
Surrender means to cease resistance and submit to authority. Spiritually, it means stopping the fight to do things in your own strength and choosing to let go and let God take control.
We’ve all heard the phrase “let go and let God,” but how often do we truly live it out? If we’re honest, many of us struggle with surrender—clinging to our plans, our timelines, and our ways. Yet, life often brings us to the end of ourselves, to the point where we’ve exhausted every option and still don’t know what to do. In those moments, where do you run? My prayer is that you’ll find yourself at the feet of God.
When we surrender to Him, we exchange our striving for His grace, and we find peace. God, in His loving nature, doesn’t force His help upon us. He is a gentleman, waiting for us to hand over our burdens. Imagine holding a rock in your hand; no matter how hard you squeeze it, nothing changes. But in God’s hands, that same rock becomes like clay—soft, moldable, and transformed into something new. That’s what happens when we give our problems to Him.
Devotional Scripture
Spend some time today reading 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, where Paul shares about his own struggles and weaknesses. He, like us, faced afflictions, but through his vulnerability, we see God’s grace at work.
Paul reminds us in verse 9:
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me."
This verse is a call to embrace our weakness and surrender it to God, knowing His power is made perfect in those moments.
Meditation Verse
Take time to meditate on Matthew 11:28-30:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
This is an invitation from Jesus to trade your heavy burdens for His light and life-giving peace.
Journal Prompts
- What does surrender mean to you personally?
- What burdens have you been carrying that you need to release to God today?
- How does 2 Corinthians 12:9 speak to your current situation?
- Reflect on a time when you tried to fix something in your strength. What might have happened if you had surrendered it to God earlier?
- In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God fully?
Closing Prayer
Lord, today I lay down my burdens at Your feet. I surrender my plans, my struggles, and my fears to You. Thank You for Your grace, which is always sufficient, and for the peace that only comes from You. Teach me to trust You more and to rest in the assurance of Your love and care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let today be the beginning of a deeper journey into God’s peace through surrender. Take time to reflect, meditate, and allow Him to work in your heart.